June 12, 2019

Did You Know – Close That Fire Safety Curtain!

By Peter Scheu, ASTC Often overlooked, the requirement that a Fire Safety Curtain remain closed at all times except when the stage and/or auditorium was in […]
May 16, 2019

Did You Know – Cable Passes

Beverage management systems may also be used because make extensive use of large diameter pipe and these systems are designed with large radius bends to make it easier for users to pull cables. READ MORE
January 6, 2019

The Case for Boxes

Many theatres and concert halls include “boxes” along the sides of the theatre, typically above the orchestra seating. Why are they useful and desirable? Some thoughts on this important piece of auditorium architecture.
January 6, 2019

Making a Night (or Day) of it: Food in the Performing Arts Center

Despite the attitudes of some purists, food and beverage is an important income stream for many Performing Arts Centers. Both within the performance space and in other public spaces, audiences are expecting options, and at a higher level of quality.
January 5, 2019

Did You Know – Stage Directions

The first in a series of short, helpful articles unlocking lingo and mysteries of the performing arts. First an easy one; stage directions.
August 29, 2018

Open Stage Design & James Hull Miller, ASTC Founding Member

Question: What makes scenery so expensive? Answer: A proscenium frame. Question: Why? Answer: Because it must be filled with Scenery. -James Hull Miller, ASTC As ASTC celebrates 35 years, member R. Duane Wilson looks back to a founding member and mentor in theatre design. James Hull Miller found a different way to look at performance venues. READ MORE…
August 29, 2018

Platform or Stage?

Is it a “stage” or a “platform”? While this seems an easy question to answer, it often is a source of confusion when designing a space for performance. The distinction is quite important, with far-ranging and often expensive consequences. READ MORE…
December 12, 2017

House Light Integration

House lights are as much a part of an auditorium as the stage, the catwalks and all of the other elements that make up a complete performance space. And, until recently, there was the simple expectation that the house light fixtures would typically be provided in the building’s electrical equipment package to be controlled by the theatrical and/or architectural dimming and control system. More often than not, the house light fixtures were specified by the electrical engineer as incandescent or quartz products connected to the dimmers designed by the theatre consultant. Now, however, the game has changed a bit. Read More...
December 12, 2017

House Light Upgrades – It’s Not Just the Lamp (Bulb)

It’s become an all too familiar scenario… A school district is looking to save on energy and maintenance costs and hires an energy efficiency consultant. With all good intentions, the consultant sees three dozen or so 500-watt PAR lamps in the auditorium house lights and recommends they be replaced by 17-watt LED PARs. The district also expects huge savings in replacement lamp costs and increased safety since the custodians won’t need to climb out on planks over the plaster lath ceiling.